Description

Children will use an 8-bit binary coding system and different beads to create bracelets with their local airport code.

The activity worksheets can be used for passive programming.

Number of participants

For any number of participants, depending on the supplies available.

Space considerations

An indoor space is best, with tables and chairs for participants.

Prepare tables and chairs for participants with enough space to move around in between
On the tables, place small bowls of beads divided by bead style (e.g., all green beads together or all star-shaped beads together)
Place crayons/markers/coloured pencils throughout for planning
Have a Binary Code Worksheet for each participant. The Alphabet Binary Chart and Airport Code Chart can be printed for each participant or shared in small groups.

Begin with an overview of what a binary system is, using the Binary Code Worksheet’s introduction.
You can use the Binary Alphabet Chart to help code any word into binary. The more letters a word contains, the more sets of 8 beads will be required. To avoid having too many beads on a bracelet, for this activity we will use two different coloured beads to spell out a three-letter airport code in 8-bit binary.

Using the Airport Code Chart, choose a three-letter airport code and decide which style or colour of bead will be the “0” and which will be the “1”. Write out your chosen airport code on your sheet.

Using the Binary Code Worksheet, start to plan out your bracelet using coloured markers to plot the bead arrangement.

Optionally, this step can be skipped and beads placed directly on the sheet in the correct arrangement.

When all beads are threaded, twist the pipe cleaner ends together or tie your string/twine. Enjoy your finished product, jet-setter!

Consider alternate styles of beads. For example, instead of having two varying colours, the actual shape of the bead can differ: e.g., a round pony bead and a heart- or star-shaped bead.

Similarly, beads can vary in size: a smaller bead and a larger bead. Any set of two distinct items will work.
Have participants work in pairs or small groups.

To extend this activity:

Encourage participants to research other airport codes from around the world and include it in their bracelets.
Include all kinds of words (and phrases) by using crayons or markers to colour code on an extra sheet of paper. Encourage participants to challenge each other by sending messages in code!